Thetownend.com

Last time I started one of these the game was abandoned due to apocalyptic weather. Let's see what happens this time.

Anything but a defeat please....

Lets get two in a row...cmon!!

I'm still basking in the afterglow of beating Dale. I liked Luke's line of enjoying winning and slag me off if we lose.

Two on the bounce is what's needed. Then go to Scunthorpe with pressure off. Would be good to shut up the negative morons in the crowd who simply go to moan at the first opportunity. The team clearly want to perform for LW so let's see a continuation of solid defence and quicker passing/movement. Same team please. 3-1 with Murray, Rogers and Delfonso on the scoresheet. 6800 in attendance with 400 from Walsall.

Someone decided to get married today (Jayo) so missing the game. Therefore I fully expect us to dish out a 6-0 hammering.

1-2 defeat.

Which Town will turn up.
The limp wristed, non tackling, undisciplined, toothless in attack, total shite at the back with little in the middle, psychologically weak, bunch of bottlers, or.
The gutsy, in your face lets win the second ball, clinical, great movement, defensively tight lot from Tuesday.
It will be interesting to see the line up. I hope Smith and Iandolo keep their places. I really like the look of Smith. He seems like a right pest in the midfield and someone compared him to Perkins, which is a good description.
I'll go 3-1 but not sure to who.

It wasn't my decision

That would imply you sometimes get to make decisions.

Matt Heywood being inducted into the hall of fame today. What for exactly?

Eddie Buckley also being inducted, definitely agree with that one

Danger Danger *HOOF* Matt Heywood.

Hoofing. And sometimes heading. Usually back into their midfield

Definate no to the first one definate yes to the 2nd. Matt fucking Heywood? whatever next? Matt Hewlett?

Heywood has got to be a joke. He was fucking useless. Nam away he was a bellend. Fucking hell at this rate Sean close or Jason drysdale will be next.

Hope we keep the same team and produce a similarly gutsy performance as with Rochdale, the only game I've really enjoyed this season.

Is that meant to fit to 'Danger High Voltage' by Electric Six? That's how it reads in my head.

FWIW I think a win today could be an indicator of a good little run and a push up the table.

Defeat would suggest to me that it's going to be up and down this season. I've backed Walsall today so hoping to lose some money.

My guess is Joey Beauchamp.

Not sure how this works, but Matty Heywood comes in at number 64 on the appearances list, was nothing more than an OK Div 3 stopper, and fucked off to Bristol City at the earliest opportunity.  I suppose it's a harmless bit of fun.

There are those amongst us who would argue he's the sort of thing we need now, but he wouldn't get anywhere near the current side.

Honestly cannot predict which Swindon team turns up. Walsall tend to draw quite a lot so I'm going for 1-1. Be a shame if Tommy Smith to lose his place in the team.

Didn't need the useless fucker then and even though we are shit at the back he certainly ain't the answer now or at any point in between.

This but I think Kasim will come in for Smith!

There's no way that Williams should be changing a side that won 3-0. Kasim on the bench, Smith to start please.

Yeah heard some fan randomly shout it after a trademark Heywood hoof and it's stuck with me ever since.

TbF to Matty, Kingy brought him in to the hopeless side that T*dd had left behind, because he noted our vunerabilty to crosses into the box. Matty played half of that season and we did improve and just about stayed up. He was one of those who'd give you 40+ games a season, and was a part of the decent side of the Mooney season.

Town fans don't mind mediocrity as long as they see commitment, after all as a fan of a traditional Div 3 club, you're going to see plenty of it, it was the fucking off to Bristol City, that did for his reputation. You need to be a Shaun Taylor to get away with that, status intact.

Heywood when he arrived was better than what we had but is no hall of famer under any circumstances.

As for Shaun Taylor, he is one of the few players that could have left us and even went to the Pox with his  status as a hero still intact, not many can say that....ever.

Shaun, of course, was helped by seemingly being shown the door by the Steve McMahon. I'd put Shaun into the legend category.

I've no idea how this H o F thing works, but Matty played 200 games in an interesting period for the club.

If it's just viewed as a bit of fun, then fair enough. I'd imagine there are some who get asked but can't be bothered with it. You're finished as a player at a young age, so if you want to come back and feel the vibe again, why not.

One of the things which the club has got badly wrong, probably since McMahon, is having an old player kicking around somewhere who gets what the club is about. Zippy fitted this bill for a while but PdC did for him. Fraser is sort of around and does a bit, which is good, and appointing Alan Mac hopefully a positive.

pulling them out of a hat, "one greedy bastard" and "hoof" greeted him on his returns to the CG. legend.

I guess qualification is simply playing for us for a few seasons.

Who was the last player to play more than 200 games for us?

That does seem the be the requirements it would seem.

Cast iron 1-1, as it pretty much always seems to be against Walsall.

Good question, none in the last 5 or 6 years at least. Nathan is getting close as was Wes.

According to Wiki, Ifil played more than 200. Including loans.

Jerel Ifil 210, Alan Reeves 209, David Duke 204 and Matty Heywood 208 were the last 4 over 200.

Quite an exclusive club really then. Maybe Heywood's more deserving than we're giving him credit for?

Appearance wise quite possibly, ability wise questionable.

I would not say Ifil or Duke were deserving of HoF status on anything other than appearances either.

David Duke  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Loved Ifil. Always remember when he scored and good old Luggy said he was surprised as in training they were putting a duck on his head and using him as a decoy :D

As for the game I have no predictions whatsoever, as noted it depends which STFC turn up. But they're without Jackson, which has to be a good thing I think?

Would be exceptionally harsh on Smith if Yaser walks straight back in the team.

Also congrats Jayo, although it's an abysmal day to get married I hope its lovely for you anyway!

I hated Duke so much at the time but hindsight has kind of shown me that he wasn't that bad after all. Ifil was always fun to watch.

I met Heywood once and he was as boring as he was on them pitch.

Just think, in a few years time we could be adding Anton Rodgers.

Julia Mackenzie is more probable.

I see on the "that" facebook page that Tom Jones son is up in arms that Heywood is in the HoF and not his dad (who played 207 games for the Town and has does work in the community for STDC so he may have a point).

I would prefer TJ in there rather than Heywood TBH.

Maybe they've just not got around to him yet?

I am sure you are correct, TJ's son is taking as some kind of personal slur against his dad on there :)

And of course that Christian Kostiuk is egging him on!

Kasim in for Smith only change, Smith injured.

Vigouroux; Furlong, Thomas, Thompson (C), Brophy; Rodgers, Kasim; Iandolo, Murray, Goddard; Delfouneso

Subs: Henry, Barry, Georgaklis, Evans, Ouldridge, Twine, Norris

Not much experience on the bench today.

Already seen the first Facebook post slating Power for leaving Smith out,  even though he's injured  :doh:

No, but probably not much different to Tuesday night

True.

A comment from Sam Parkin then made me laugh, no offensive corners for Swindon against Rochdale...makes a change most of our corners this last couple of years have been pretty offensive! :D

But is he......

?

1-0 down.

FFS

From the halfway line

MORE ON GOAL! Furlong loses possession by the touchline, Oztumer lets fly from WAY out and it sails over Vigs. Amazing goal #STFC (0-1)

Power's fault;)

From the edge of the centre circle apparently.

Cock up from Furlong who's having a bit of a mare and Vigs gets lobbed from way out. Uphill struggle now, as Walsall are just going to park the bus and we're all over the place.

Can we have the team from Tuesday back

Well that sounded a bit crap.

It looked a bit crap too

All the energy from Tuesday has gone.

People will blame it on Kasim, but it's not just him.

I know some think he is the golden child but Brophy has been absolutely useless

I like Brophy but he is either brilliant or a passanger, no middle ground, hopefully he will pick up 2nd half.

Hope so,  he can start by trying to beat his man.

He tried it once & didn't manage it so gave up

Not happening then, Barry on to replace him

Walsall hit crossbar with open goal.

2-0

0-2

Williams is doing a superb job isnt he a midweek win were all hood winked not.

Utter utter shit. Safe to say Tuesday was obviously a flash in the pan.

Williams looks disinterested, no direction whatsoever from the touchline. Fouls being given away continually. We are fucking awful.

It's OK, we've got Norris on the bench, he can come on and score a 20 min hat trick

Give williams an extension to his contract another 5 years will seal it. :bandwagon:

Cant wait to play eastleigh now.

What's fucking me off the most is Steve White's apparent inability to say delfonso's name properly.

Even better, he's going to get 25 minutes!

Thank fuck the only player they have that can shoot is the midget, otherwise we would be five down

And what will be done after this 90 minutes of dross nothing....power must think we are all so gullible and stupid putti g up with this.

Ironic cheers & chanting after having a shot

That will do the players confidence some good.

Just so disappointing after Tuesdays game.

Sounds like Oztumer is running the show for them.

It really should be about 5 they have missed some real chances, getting fed up now listening to away fans singing about how shit we are I think we know we have to sit through it every week

Rodgers gets mom, which must be a piss take.

Feel sorry for Delfounso. He's worked his socks off with virtually no support.

Also, when the attendance is given out, the away support hasn't been given for the last few games. They obviously don't want us to know how the home support is dropping.

Rodgers given MOTM.

I thought it was a piss take, but actually it would be hard to find someone that deserves it.

Put Williams out of his misery, FFS.

Real chance missed after Tuesday's excellent win. Only to follow it up with what sounds like the worst performance of the season.

To many bad performances, especially at home. Really not good enough.

Indeed. It's not good for anybody and can't see that he's going to turn it around.

Seems last week was papering over the cracks. Disappointing. New manager please chairman.

WWLLLLWL so far at home this season, thats not good reading.

So we are not going to win promotion now, and are going to be relegated?

It's all a bit meh for me.

I agree, no knee jerk now but I genuinely can't see it improving on the pitch without some changes off it.

Get a new manager in who can get the fans behind him....move LW back to his coaching role and get a man manager in now please Mr Power. Someone who will get the fans back on the clubs side.

We don't need a new owner, we need new (and more) fans. Not fucking fickle idiots.

Fickle, fuckle. There's nobody to blame but the 'manager' and the players. How have the fans contributed to us being shite.

That's fucking insulting.

Oh come on, it's not being fickle. We are awful. I've seen some shit in the 27 years I've been watching Swindon and this is right up there. 70 minutes to have a shot says it all.

I do agree that we need to get behind Power, there are no rich people going to buy us, we have to work to a sustainable model now.

That said, How are we going to get new fans when the product is so dull and results are consistently so poor?

As a fickle fucking idiot, who no longer can be arsed to pay good bucks to watch the Town and can't even be arsed to listen to the games, I do take an interest in the attendence.
So how many (suckers) I men real supporters turned up today?

6655 no idea about away numbers

Runaway leaders Scunthorpe away next.

Because for once we have an owner who isn't trying to fuck us over financially, has been honest about the fact he's here to make money. I'm not saying everyone should be happy with his reign, up to you whether you like him or not, but this sense of entitlement coupled with the fact he bailed us from JED - fickle as fuck and pathetic. As if there's some billionaire round the corner who can't wait to take us over and plough his money in.

Mr pazzazz is talking and I feel like throwing myself on the rail track. I can easily see why his team turn out in a coma.

Who's knocking Power? It's the manager and players who are not up to it. You honestly expect fans of any club to keep quiet after witnessing such utter crap as we have recently.

Second consecutive home game without a corner.

What have corners ever done for us?

Just an unbelievable stat. Can't have happened very often

Seen a couple of diehards lose their shit today.  There is massive disdain amongst the fans. We need an experienced manager asap.

Walsall never bring many, would you guess at 500 or more?

the club should be bending over backwards to keep the 'fickle' fans that actually turn up.

all fans are fickle in general, it's the nature of football beast. keep serving up shit and this is what happens. go on a 10 game run and watch it change to the other side of the coin.

it's the same all over

Where we've conceded 12 goals on the last 3 visits, when they've either already been relegated or been struggling. Given they'll be a racing certainty with the bookies....you never know.

FWIW, if Luke survived the Bolton game and we've picked up 4 points since then he won't be sacked yet.  We do have a few players who if they can return to fitness might help....however we continue to be in the relegtion mixer, and it's quite possible we'll be in the zone this time next week.

Very much this.

Lukey boy fronted up yet?

Who's knocking power? The people shouting "we want power out", maybe?

I don't think a change of manager will make any difference what so ever TBH. I've seen enough this season to see the current batch of players just aren't capable of stringing more then a couple of wins together.  Individually we have some good players but they lack experience & consistency  and it's clear they need a leader on the pitch.
Have nothing against Thompson but he isn't a leader and these players clearly need guidance once on the pitch.

People were saying the same before Ling arrived.....

That's been the response to shit form for ever and a day. Blaming fans is just cuntish.

Then call me a cunt.
Like I said, I don't have a problem with opinions. But when you're actively chanting at a game you want to get rid of him you've gone too far. Save that for the Diamond mikes and the Oystons of this world.

Maybe but watching today's match the players looked like they didn't know what the fook they were doing and had know direction at all. These players are pretty young and I just think they need someone on the pitch to give them a bit of guidance and give them a lift when the chips are down and as much as I like Thompson he doesn't do that

I'm all for people voicing their discontent, but chanting that they want the owner out is idiotic.

Agree I'd rather have Power than no club

Obviously, you do have a problem with some fans' opinions. Do you honestly expect, and want, fans to quietly accept what's happening on the pitch? Would you prefer 'Williams Out' or just to go meekly home with a shrug?

Which makes me think the right manager could fix things on the pitch.

I'm still fairly confident that we could have a decent season, provided Power doesn't take too long to make whatever changes  necessary.

Exactly. I've still got my orange hat, and what I was protesting against wasn't "we keep playing the ball backwards and I hate this tippy tappy stuff". It was more IF THIS CARRIES ON WE WONT HAVE A CLUB.



I'd prefer fans to get behind the team who are obviously trying.

As far as you know, so far. Do agree though, that we don't seem to have a queue of people waiting to replace him. Equally, people are entitled to say when they're pissed off

I'm surprised that some of those chanting today manage to get dressed in the morning but we all have to acknowledge something has to change.

Williams is to blame for the lethargic and low-tempo approach and Power is to blame for a failing recruitment policy. Perhaps, 'Power sort it out' may have been better.

Yes. Which is why I'm not going to tell the man to get out of my club, because he hasn't actually done anything.

Fine to postulate on here, actually chanting at games to get rid is too far imo. I don't know how to put it more clearly than that.

Strangely, I'm still of the opinion we have a decent squad, poorly managed. My other big concern is the regularity of wholesale injuries which, to me, points to poor conditioning

First of all the positives. Their no 10 was the best player I've seen at the CG for ages. They scored 2 great goals. Their no 7 didn't break sweat.
As for us, same old shit. Possession with fuck all benefit. Backwards, sideways shit. /they won most first balls and every second ball. They were physically far superior to us. They muscled us off the ball very easily and legally. The second half, in particular, was embarrassing. They hit the bar and missed a total sitter.
Tuesday was a blip and we are shit. There's nothing on the pitch resembling a leader. Fair play to Fonz at the end for toughing it out in front of the fans.
We'd all like to get behind the club and players but there are times when its so bloody difficult to do so.

We have half a team out currently with players going down every game, something is not right and the injury list just carries on from last year where we had loads also. There are players in the first team who are simply not good enough and should be bench options at best.

Well that was just absolutely shocking.

Something has got to change. Performances and results are just not good enough.

Williams- nice guy but just not a manager I'm afraid. 6 wins from the last 27 league games bears this out

I too think we have a squad very capable, Tuesday night showed that, it lacks motivation and possibly a change in tactics is needed, as you state fitness is a major concern.

I think a new manager will help the players and the fans as long as its the right man of course.

Also agree on the fitness issue- too many injuries and we never seem to look as sharp as the opposition.

But we haven't got any battlers. We haven't got any tacklers. We haven't got a leader. Every team needs an animal or two to allow the talented players to play. We've got some decent players but physically and mentally weak - and thats if they stay fit or suspension free.

We know our players find it difficult to do 2 games in a week, and we know our players struggle with the physicality of Div 3.

Also winning the odd game while losing a few is classic kids team style....it might very well get us down to Div 4, but at least the management can adjust tactics etc with this in mind.

Given that we're down to the bare bomes squad wise, still being out of the bottom 4, is encouraging...relegation isn't a certainty yet, so all to play for.

I am not saying its a complete side by any means but we have the basis of a good side with a couple of additions, a new manager may be able to bring in a free agent or 2 that will help in those areas that you mention.

did William say much in his post match?

It's all very well saying we have no leaders, but how could a leader lead if even they don't know what to do?

Then, surely, Power has to take some blame for this. Recruiting small, lightweight midfielders is down to him.

If his sole objective is making money no matter which division we are in he does deserve some criticism

This is the sort of thing I don't understand. How do you know he's a nice guy? There seems to be this assumption that he's a walkover and it makes no sense to me, as a psychologist or a football fan.

I think a lot of that assumption comes from players and LW himself saying that he does not get angry with players and throw tea cups (his words) at the players, he leaves that to Ross Embleton.

We have a decent set of players, I don't think Williams is the man to get the best out of them as manager.

Can't believe people were chanting for Power out, ridiculous considering some of the previous owners we have had.

Cardiff are currently showing what a new manager can do.

They are indeed, 4 new experienced signings helped them too though!

Yes I see he's signed some free agents

No, out of contract players he signed.

Williams (and perhaps Embleton, I don't know) need to go, not Power.

If his sole objective is making money he is making a piss poor job of it.

Yet we apparently knew what to do mid week? To those who went to both games what changed, were Rochdale shit or us shit today?

Stupid chanting for Power to go - he will go when he decides to, ie when a takeover offer is on the table, which may be a long way hence!!  Back to the game, we started slowly - as opposed to the Rochdale game - very lacklustre until we gifted them the opening goal, but a fabulous opportunist effort!  Not sure how long the CG pitch actually is but Furlong gave it away just inside our half and the guy took it well.  He also took his second goal well, amazing piece of skill.  We had no game plan, apart from Kasim to go round in circles and pass sideways eventually.  We were second best to most balls, and in our efforts to set Nathan D. away kept hitting it long, straight into the heart of their defence who had a fairly easy game today.  Williams didn't what to do, just sat down in the dug out and watched it unfold after the second goal.  Poor, poor Town.  And Rodgers voted mom must go down as a piss take!!  Delf put in one hell of a shift and deserved that award.

We started much quicker on Tuesday and Tom Smith was snapping at them from the start, we didn't bother to close down or press at all today.   Rochdale were shit on Tuesday and we were shit today.

I can remember PdC saying at this level teams struggle to win back to back home games on a Saturday and Tuesday and mentally they are more switched on for an away game. That was with experienced players and we've got kids.

It's finding that 7/10 performance each week that marks out players who do well in the game. Interesting comments from Chalkie White post match about fitness and players not living in the town so spending too much time on the motorway and not feeling part of the town.

Just got in.

Haven't read back.

A new low.

Missed the game on Tuesday through work but heard great things from the lads....was looking forward to today, after all Walsall haven't won away.....

At half time I went outside the TE for a puff and thought....Well that was a fluke goal...we created a few openings, I think we will be ok.
How fucking wrong was I?!

Two things for me...

One of the worst performances I have seen for a 45 at Swindon for many a year.

The second goal was an utter embarrassment......how the fuck can a professional football defence at any level be unlocked by a 45 yard ball over the top to a fucking midget who whilst unchallenged, places home a simple side foot finish?!

He should of been awarded man of the match....we never got close to him all game. He was superb.

Rodgers winning MOM must of been a piss take.... Not the worst player of the game more fitting, I enjoyed his 10 yard drive into the dug out at the end....sublime.

Maybe it was the players that let us down today, rather than anything else. Why not? Everything else seems to have gone wrong. That sort of display requires the team to come in tomorrow morning for training. Dogshit.

Listened to the ironic cheers and chants from the TE.....it saddens me.

The anger has gone for me now.....I just laughed and fucked off for a pint....it seems a lot of fans have given up already.

Another shit gate, even after Tuesday's heroics..speaks volumes.

We ARE in a relegation fight.....with a team with NO fight.

If we finish 5th from bottom it will be a result.

This is the thing, I cannot believe that Williams said to them 'just let them play, no pressing, stand off' today so why do we one day and not another? It's like Hodgson getting the blame for England's players being unable to string two passes together?

Either he cannot motivate them, or they are just not fit enough, although if it was lethargic at the start it's unlikely the latter?

Don't disagree. Personally thought the chants were ill-considered/misdirected. However, I can understand the frustration and understand why some of it is directed at Power as the business model he employs, while sensible for where we are, to some extent dictates what we see on the pitch. Add in the widely held suspicion that he has more than a hand in the style of play too and you can see why he is the target of the chants. But I agree with whoever said earlier that "Power sort it out" would be more appropriate

Suspect it's a bit of both. If he talks to them in the dressing room anything like he talks on the radio, that's not going to inspire any one. The analysis is reasonable, but it's all calm dry as dust analysis, nothing to motivate or inspire. And he's way too ready to make excuses for players. Don't get me wrong, I don't want a Di Canio-style tearing strips of players in public, that's just stupid, but you can go too far the other way. If you keep making excuses for players, they start making excuses for themselves and then they're beaten before they even step on the pitch.

The MoM thing is decided by the guests of the match day sponsors....often fellas who've had a few or know nothing of the team.

When my mate got some bank lot along, he told me who would be MoM before the start.  So take no notice.

Yes we've been in a relegation battle for a while and have picked up 4 points from the last 3, with an injury hit inexperienced squad, so not too bad and shows a bit of fight. We do have the prospect of maybe getting a few bodies back, which could give the squad a lift. 52 will be difficult, but not out of the question yet.

This to me is the core of our problem. We need two or three to bring in some experience and a bit of steel, that will give the rest of them room to breathe a bit

Fickle!???

Fuck off!

The sort of post that makes my piss boil.

Do you think if I couldn't stand losing I would still be a Town fan after 30 plus years?!

It's never the defeat, it's the manner of it for me and today the manner was shit.

The manner of our model...all young players to flog on with no experience is shit.

The management style of a yes man manager who seems clueless to influence anything when teams don't succumb to our style of play is shit.

The influence of Power over the team is shit...

And last but not least, the biggest shit sandwich of all is the knowledge that there is no light at the end of the tunnel. No new manager (let's face it, what manager worth his salt would work with this model?.....why did KMac fuck off sharpish?) can make this side click playing keep ball that Power desires.

If I see shit....consistently....then I shout about it. Would you prefer if I wrote a letter to Power pointing out the deficiencies of his model? Would it make a difference?
Best I turn up and pay admission and shout a bit than not turn up at all.....there were plenty that didn't show up today.

Perhaps a CG with 2500 happy clappers sliding into division 2 is more preferable to you?!

Well said flash.

We haven't really had owners in the past, rather a Board of shareholders, with a majority shareholder.  The previous set up had Black as majority shareholder, but there were others involved.  Power as far as we can tell is owner with no other voices around.

His more hands on model, with lack of accountability means he was always going to be in the firing line if the football turns to shit.

Agreed.

Agree with that Reg and he's done himself no favours with his "my way or fuck you all" approach either, this is where a less fuck you attitude to the media, the Trust etc could have bought him some slack.

Williams saying after the game that Murray, Delfouneso and Norris are still not fully fit. It's almost the end of October. A third of the league season has gone. When will they be fully fit?

Personally if someone turns up every week and hurls abuse from minute one most of it being bollocks then I'd rather they didn't bother and stayed in the pub instead.  Listening to people spout endless nonsense whether the football is shit or not.

True....he's set himself up for a fall, we must hope that there isn't too much collateral to the club in the meantime.

Without power we would have no club.

Fuck knows what delfounesco will be like when he's fit then. I'd like to see the stats but this lad must run twice as far as most. He might not be ajose but he's got an engine and offers us some physical presence and he doesn't hide. He's also intelligent on the pitch. I like him.

And with no fans this club is nothing stalemate.

What annoys me is when our manager/chief coach whatever is actively inviting bids from other clubs when a player does well, as Williams has been doing with Vigs recently and did with both Obika and Ajose in the Summer.

It's hardly sending out a message to the fans that we are a club with any ambition of promotion is it if we are looking to sell any player that has a few good games?

That is total bullshit.

Is it?

Agreed.

Power will go when the heat gets too much. It's starting to warm up because people aren't mugs, they can see that the collective product on the pitch isn't working, the manager and his staff are demonstrably incapable of doing much if anything about it, attendances are dwindling and all the signs indicate that we're facing a relegation battle.

As we all know, fans at most clubs will go with the flow for so long but they wont be taken for a ride. They either stay away, grit teeth and watch the car crash unfold or they eventually protest and bring about change.

People make me smile when they trot out the old chestnut about there not being anyone else available or willing to take over the club with the implication being that we're lucky to have him here.

Well, sorry, but that's bullshit. Power regularly paints himself as the clubs saviour. He's not. That was Black, who left the club debt free albeit with a claw-back clause if the club is ever sold on. It's unfortunate for us that Black sold the club to an idiot, but that's life.

An obvious question is though; which idiot brought in the idiot? Did Jed bring Power in or was it the other way around?

Power claims that no one else wanted to buy the club. Really? Where have we heard that before, and if it's true, put the club up for sale and lets see whos out there.

Power makes a virtue about being up-front about wanting to make money from the club. 'I've never made any secret about that'. The real idiots are those that buy into that.

It's almost like a footballers agent owns Swindon Town and is merely using it as a shop window to flog his assets on elsewhere.

Oh, hang on.....

If you were a manager/owner of a club and you wanted to sell particular players, would you:

A) Disseminate their availability through veiled messages on local radio broadcasts in the hope an interested party might hear.

or

B) Just send emails to other clubs.

Answers on a postcard please.

or c) keep hold of them and build a team which stays together for longer than 9 months

how many did Walsall bring

Looks like Karl Robinson might be collecting the P45. He fucking loves us...what say you TEFers?

Could do a lot worse.

Reading this it's interesting that many seem to be looking forward to spending many a Thursday afternoon constantly pressing refresh on the web waiting for us to secure a financial lifeline or go bust... them was the days.

I wouldn't be against it. Also, he's worked with a few different assistants in the past so Williams and Embleton can awkwardly stay on as his backroom staff. Win-win.

So then, now that we're agreed, when will Robinson have a Town scarf over his head?

I've already managed to forgive him for managing Franchise.

*Edit. Oh, wait. He hasn't even got the sack yet, I'm getting ahead of myself. He's an awful person for managing such an abomination.

I thought that when the 'We want our club back chant' went around. How about the 10 years from 1997-2007. McMahon, Rikki Hunt, admin twice, relegated twice, one promotion with 2 managers, Mike D and the Wills family hanging on for dear life.

Didn't give an away attendance and haven't done for several games now, just the overall attendance.

thanks

I'd guess there were between 400 and 500 so the crown fans are just above 6k.

There's nothing veiled about "If they (scouts) are not (watching Vigouroux) then they are not doing their job because you need to watch this boy - don't watch him too closely - he has got a long way to go, for sure. He is worth keeping tabs on I think."

If I was manager of a club I'd be wanting to hold on to my best players not advising other teams to be keeping tabs on them. If I was the owner it would depend on whether I wanted to make money or not....

You're implying that he's only signed small, lightweight midfielders. It isn't true:

Doughty - not small, not lightweight, good signing.

Thomas - not small, 'though he's not convinced in midfield so far.

This.

What does "We want our Swindon back" mean anyway?

So you're still clinging to the notion that the club manager/owner will let other clubs know that certain players are available by broadcasting such information over local radio stations, which interested parties are unlikely to listen to, rather than just sending them an email?

Why not just send them an email?

Quite possibly the worst second half performance I can remember at the CG. Totally uncompetitive and a real disappointment after Tuesday's efforts.

Williams usually talks sense post-match, but this time, saying he didn't know why things went so wrong, is worrying and close to admitting he is out of his depth.

But what other media is there that Williams can 'send the message' to. We're not covered by the nationals.

He knows everything he says ends up in the Adver, which ends up in Newsnow and, voila, it's out there.

Vigs is our only saleable asset and we all know the model - so it's hardly surprising he may be touted. The problem is that I doubt he's worth much more what Power, allegedly, paid for him, so it's all a bit moot.

pretty sure other teams scouting networks don't operate on listening to managers post match interviews :)

word will get around if he's good enough. teams will know we sell at every favorable opportunity.

I think Williams comments really just meant he is going to be good enough to play at a higher level sooner rather than later. nothing more.

Fuck's sake Batch, there is a conspiracy going on here clearly, stop being so reasonable.

just seen the goals :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: although a couple for goal of the season :hmmm:

Exactly I think Williams should remember what happened to Lord Haw Haw...... (not really)

Seriously though I love the idea that clubs are doing their scouting via post match interviews, perhaps he should refuse to do them and thus no club would ever know how to play against us, possibly go one stage further and change all players names by deed poll to A Trialist..... that will Fox them.

Probably something very similar to "We want our country back". And sung by the same people.

Uhm.

Email?

Best post this year  :clap:

Well, whatever the ins and outs of our slump, it's nothing a change of manager wouldn't fix.

His interview yesterday was an eye-opener - admitting he doesn't know what to try next amidst all the fluster and waffle.

Everything has its sell-by date - and poor old Luke has reached his. I genuinely think he hates it anyway.

Just a few random thoughts.

Thought Rodgers deserved mom. Easily the most effective of the midfielders yesterday, some very good cross field passing and tried to look forward when possible.
Some people will never be convinced though, however well he plays he'll always be shit in their minds i.e. focus on the one he put into the opposition dugout and forget about the rest.

The attacking quartet were poor, didn't look to be any cohesion there. Delfouneso wasted a lot of energy trying to close down 2 or 3 defenders on his own. Pointless if the other three are not going to help out. Not sure if the plan was to give Walsall time and space to play and then try and catch them on the break, suspect that it wasn't and it's just a case of this team not being able to play Sat - Tue - Sat at the moment. On that basis I'd expect to see an improvement next Saturday.
Lose to Eastleigh though and there will have to be a change before the next home game.

Outstanding individual display from their no 10. Our midfield could not even get close enough to kick him.

Not a great time to be a Town fan, says a lot when the team appeared to miss the energy provided by an 18 year old with only a handful of first team appearances.

Mention made of Jerel Ifil earlier in the thread.
My favourite "beast" moment was him picking up the ball that hadn't quite gone out for a throw in and Torquay then scoring from the resulting free kick.

Carrier Pigeon?

This 100% - changes of manager always sort things FACT! :o

So, you're happy with Williams remaining?

I agree about Rogers for MOM, though I've always considered him shit in the past.His passing was excellent and he made a lot more effort to move it forward.

Kasim was awful, looked slow, lethargic.and not very interested.

Is Kasim actually worth any money these days?

Seeing as the general consensus of mr Williams has changed to incompetent at best, could I please have the ability to name him "tepid temperature"?
God he's useless, makes Beamish look good.

I always take talk like "the worst ever team" with a pinch of salt. People tend to forget just how shit we have been in the past. Remember Hart's one up front with no support.

However the performance yesterday must rank as "one of" our worst in living memory.
Little or no fight, spirit or skill. A manager admitting he's run out of ideas.

A change is required, even if it's just for new ideas

The more I think about it, the more I believe Karl Robinson would be a good appointment.

For the first time in many years at a league game I felt like leaving before the end as the performance was that dire and I could not see any changes happening to alter the result. Walsall, apart from Oztumer, were not that good but did not have to work that hard to win the game and that depresses me even more. Delfouneso once again was one who worked his socks off again for precious little reward but that work rate was not mirrored by the rest of the players who appeared totally lost as to try and change things. Fans will ways appreciate the player who puts in the 100% shift and in that department we are currently sadly lacking.

Regarding Luke Williams, I was disappointed in his second half reaction to the play as he spent far too long in the dugout when surely as coach he should be at least trying to lift the players or even change the formation or just show some commitment. His very flat interview on the radio afterwards gave me the impression that he was at a loss to understand what was happening which worries me, as by now he should be very aware of our problems and have enough understanding of how to change things. My overall feeling has been for a while now that he is not happy in his current role and there is a need for a fresh pair of eyes on the man management side.

Did I say that.......?

You didn't say anything. I take it you actually have an opinion on the matter.

There's no conspiracy. It's an established fact that players are signed by the club with the intention of selling them on at a profit. Power has said that. It's the reason we only sign young players - in the hope that they will develop into a player that will make the club money.

There's nothing wrong with that (Crewe have been doing it for years as have a few others) if you are content with staying in the lower divisions. The turnover of players and the fact that they are mostly young and inexperienced (and in our case, unfit) will mean that we will struggle to maintain a prolonged challenge for promotion...and even if we did get promoted we wouldn't last long in the Championship. For the second season running it looks like we'll be trying to avoid relegation rather than fighting for promotion.

My concern is that Luke Williams seems (to me.....and I might be wrong, it's just my opinion....) to be toeing the Power Party line and is more interested in progressing the careers of his individual players than the interests of the club by looking to sell them on as soon as they reach a level that makes them sell-able. Which is great for the players and may be why they all seem to like him but for the stability of the team it's not so good because we have to start every season with a new team of young hopefuls. My point is that we obviously have no ambition of progressing if the aim every year is to take in a new crop of players with the aim of selling on any that will bring in a profit. How about trying to bring in players with the aim of keeping them for a few years in order to make a sustained challenge for promotion and pushing on into the Championship?

I thought Williams' post-match interview was very worrying yesterday. He gave the impression that he doesn't know what to do to motivate his players and, more worryingly, admitted that many of his team aren't fit. If a player isn't up to match fitness 3 months into a season he shouldn't really be playing professional football. Steve White pointed out as much afterwards - players have a responsibility to maintain their fitness and if they aren't bothering then there is a problem.

It would be nice if it could be with us rather than some other team though......and my point is that we don't appear to have the ambition to want to be at a higher level.

I don't disagree. I was just pointing out it's a fact we sell at every opportunity regardless of what Williams says.

I don't think he is trying to assist that process . In fact he sounded a bit miffed at it on the phone in, at least that is how I took it.

just been sacked

 I wouldn't be averse to Robinson....other than he's Scouse. That would worry me, so on reflection probably a no from me.

 As for the model, it is more likely that you'll get decent sell on and attract interest if your players are up the top end of the table.

 We got good money for Ajose, because he scored goals in a struggling side, but it only attracted another side at our level.

 Williams will be judged by Power on his turd polishing, rather than our league position, and at the moment the jury is very much out..... he's just about managing to get lads from non league standard, up to occasional Div 3/4 standard and no more.

 These lads need to be able to kick on from that to something a bit more Ben Gladwin sexy style

The thing is, Williams has been so poor, almost anyone with a modicum of experience/success will be gladly acceptable.

Whether Williams has enough lack of ego to go back to coaching  under someone else remains to be seen.

Either way he has a long contract to soften the blow.

Unlike many footballers who'll have a bit of a pot to fall back on from their playing days, Luke will need a job....I'd imagine his profile has been raised somewhat by his involvement at the CG, so likely he could get another coaching gig, possibly even a high end academy, which would likely pay more than managing Town. Think he'll move on.

You're not alone in your opinion. This works for everyone  but the fans unless you get very, very lucky which we nearly did. A big mutual love in other than the fans.
Karl Robinson would be interesting but I think he'd be looking up not down. He's got a great track record of bringing youngsters through the ranks to be sold for big bucks. Cant see it happening.
I'd imagine Luke gets a free pass next Saturday but if he loses to Eastleigh then thats a cash stream closed down and it could be curtains. 

I reckon we could have someone else in charge by then

Nah, he'll be there for Eastleigh. Lose that though, and echoes of Malpas.

This will be the case.

AND not outside the realms of possibility.

Karl Robinson can fuck off, the man is synonymous with Franchise. I've heard what a nice guy he is etc but I don't want him here. Ever.

Ditto.

Presumably you felt the same about Danny Wilson?

If he came in and sorted this shit out I couldn't give a fuck who he had managed. If I have to choose between a winning team, or having a manger who hasn't been at Franchise, I think it's an easy decision.

This.

If Williams steps down, he will move back into his coaching role. Him and Power are tight mates.

Williams will still take the training and we will still continue to play in the same way.

Changing the manager is pointless, unless Power and co change their ways.

That's what people said before Martin Ling.

Inclined to agree with this. I have zero problem with Power running the club on a sound financial footing given the multiple problems we have had in the past. However the refusal to bring in a couple of experienced pro's at any point really baffles me. The team lacks leaders and fighters. We all knew we were one CB short at the end of the window and they should have got an old head in for that position and they need a ball winning, aggressive midfield player. Kasim has been criticized and rightly so on recent performances, but his game has always been the same, he flourished when he had Thompson and Luongo doing all the running and ball winning alongside him. We just have too many of the same sort of players at the moment.

Enough people have credited Williams as an excellent coach for me to believe it. Is the transition to manager all that tough given the responsibility Power refuses to yield, i don't think so. I don't think Williams is the problem, the only doubt in my mind there is if he is too accommodating to Power (hard not be) and if someone else would stand up to Power and get the players we need.

Why Robinson would want this job when he has had a positive managerial record thus far and has just left MK because of a director of football signing players he didn't want. He can do better than us.

Have to disagree here. Anyone who knows me will tell you i have been a big supporter of what Power has done but that second half on saturday was up there with any poor performance i have witnessed at the county ground and the fans have a right to be fucked off during the game ranting.Not sure we are more fickle than every other clubs fans

Deano is right unfortunately, as much as I dislike our own supporters, we aren't much worse than others when it comes to being fickle. I don't agree with chanting abuse at players though. Luke Norris's girlfriend and family were sat in front of me on Saturday and I felt so sorry for all of them, whether he plays well or not, no one should have to listen to that.

Two real pieces of quality for both Walsall goals. First, that shot was superb. Second, that pass was superb. If we can shift Kasim and put a bid in for that Oztumer in January I wouldn't be unhappy, he ran the show. Our heads dropped completely after the 2nd went in and we couldn't do anything right. A few of them huffed and puffed, credits to Fonz, Murray and Goddard who were at least trying but no one really played well.

I can see a change coming soon. I think it's needed.

Great to see a player with skill, effort and determination on the pitch Saturday.
Unfortunately he was playing for Walsall.
A thoroughly dismal and pathetic performance from the Town.
Devoid of any inspiration from the management team. Devoid of any inspiration from the captain on the pitch.

Walsall got their own back for "that" goal by Simon Cox a few years ago.

I'd have Karl Robinson here in a heartbeat, he was Swindon long before the Franchise even existed.

just saw the highlights, looks like we were lucky.

great skill for both their goals, but that second, Jesus, terrible defending. that said, Rodgers freed up delfounso in a similar way

Agree. Some people are far too precious with their objections - probably the same who didn't want PdC cos he offended their 'right on' pretensions

I would take KR, he had a mixed bag at MKD some good some bad but he overstayed his welcome there.

Like him or loathe him at least he comminucates well with the press and fans, the players seem to respect him and has experience of promotion to the Championship under his belt.

We could do a lot worse (and probably are at the moment, in all honesty).

He's about the best qualified a club of our size could hope to get.

Karl Robinson leaves MK by mutual consent

yes, because the two cases are exactly the same aren't they? Doing a cracking job of living up to your username over the past few days ....

FWIW, I bow to no-one in my hatred of Franchise, but Robinson is an employee, working in a line of work where there are only 92 jobs available, can well understand he can't afford to be too sniffy to turn a job down, same as Wilson before him. I'd have him here.

The big problem i can see though is how does it work going forward with Williams?

Power will be keen to keep him at the club and i'm not sure that would work to be honest.I'm not as worried as most are about length of contract because Power isn't stupid so there will be no way we would have to pay up a full 5 year contract.

If Williams could step down I think that'd be idea. Him & Ross are very friendly with the players and we need a 'bad cop' so to speak.

Probably getting ahead of ourselves but he fits our style and I'd be surprised if Power doesn't at least give him a call. It has potential to work but more potential to last 3 months and be a disaster IMO.

Keep up at the back.

You can fuck right off. I have nothing against Karl Robinson, and I don't think making a distinction between a minor football rivalry and a full-blown fascist narcissist is pretentious or right-on.

Anyone considered that with Williams as manager he's simply not having the same amount of time to coach as he used to? This would help explain somewhat the downturn not only in form but player improvement.

I don't think the system is broken and Power needs to go, I just think we need a seperate manager and coaching staff. You can see from some of fhe players that there is real talent waiting to be unlocked in our squad, but perhaps Williams isn't able to put the time in that he has been able to in the past.

I could point out the hypocrisy of your post - but I wont.

Sorry, I don't monitor the TEF during the night anymore :)  And this was the first thread I read..  If the admins were any good they would confirm the news in all relevant threads :D

Winkleman's son is the head of recruitment there and Robinson wasn't a fan of this. If signings are going to be completely dictated by Power then I'd suggest it wouldn't work for Robinson for the same reasons.

According to Power though, and those that have worked for him, the management does have a lot of input into transfers. It's only internet rumours that say otherwise.

I hate Franchise and consider every second they continue to exist an affront to common decency. However I don't have a problem with their staff and players. They are professionals, they need a job, they've been offered a job, they do said job, they get paid.

The villans of the piece are Winkleman and their customers (never fans), they are the one's who allow it to exist.

Please feel free to enlighten me. There's no rationing to the amount of bollocks you can post in a week.

Nah. There's enough bickering, smart-arsery on the forum as it is.

Forget I mentioned it. All the best.

It seemed fairly obvious when Cooper was around that certain of the set up put their oar in for certain players.....so anything Brighton related even Whitehawk, would be Williams, Cooper touted for the likes of Michael Smith and Hylton, anything Spurs/ Norwich would be Power.

The Brighton link threw up Anton, which opened up, for a while, to Brendan and Liverpool.

Football has always been a bit masonic, that old mates help you at times, like when Old Monkey Head, let Kingy have Milner.

We seem to be down to Les Ferdinand at QPR these days, although having said that, there was talk of a scout a while back. Someone must have thought Luke Norris a good idea from the Pikeys.

I'm pretentious and right on but I like Karl Robinson.

He's always produced effective and expansive footballing teams, tippy tappy yet savvy, is a touchline mardarse expert in bitter and twisted game interpretation (that's another compliment) and of course has unfinished business at Swindon...

Like picking the club crest....which one of the three would you like?!

I see Power's acknowledged that attendances are down because the football is so poor, wonder how long he'll put up with that for.

Until Karl Robinson agrees to work with him?

It's got to be said the finish for the second goal showed fantastic technique. That goal was a thing of beauty. It's a shame it was against us.

Certainly we impressed somebody on Saturday, there are two adult season tickets for sale on one of the Swindon For Sale sites - DRS if anybody is interested!

seems wigan are eyeing him up already shame were still stuck with idiots williams and embleton for god knows how long.

You're a happy chap aren't you

We've had worse.
And how in the wide world of sports or you able to make a judgement on Embleton?  I get being able to pass some sort of judgement on Williams' ability as a Manager as we've been exposed to it for a while now, but a Coach?

of course.

That sounds like the set up for that joke that they were found pinned to a tree and someone came and stole the nail.


Thank you for saying what I wanted to say but far better (I was struggling to get past  :suicide: to be honest)

Not up to the job maybe, but not idiots.